Vehicle Dynamics Control Adapting to Driver Skill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control systems fail to effectively tailor vehicle dynamics to the skill level and handling type of the driver, leading to inconsistent driving experiences across different road conditions and operating conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that determines a driver's skill level and handling type based on lateral and longitudinal acceleration values, using a dynamics control module to selectively actuate dynamics actuators such as electronic limited slip differentials, power steering motors, automatic braking systems, and aerodynamic actuators, thereby tailoring the vehicle's response to the driver's abilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle control systems use fixed dynamics settings, then system complexity is reduced, but driving experience consistency across different skill levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts vehicle dynamics parameters based on detected driver skill level and handling type. The system transitions from fixed settings to adaptive settings by monitoring driver behavior patterns and modifying actuator commands in real-time, allowing the same vehicle to optimize performance for different drivers without requiring manual configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically characterizes the driver's skill level and handling type by analyzing driving patterns such as steering inputs, acceleration profiles, and braking behavior. This self-characterization eliminates the need for manual driver input or configuration, with the system serving itself to determine appropriate dynamics settings based on observed behavior
2Reliability
If vehicle dynamics are tailored to individual drivers, then driving comfort and safety improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors driver behavior and vehicle response, using this feedback to refine the characterization of driver skill level and handling type. This closed-loop approach allows the system to adapt to changes in driver behavior over time and adjust dynamics settings to maintain optimal safety and comfort levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies multiple vehicle dynamics parameters simultaneously based on the characterized driver profile. By changing parameters such as steering ratio, suspension stiffness, and brake modulation in coordinated fashion, the system achieves improved safety and comfort while managing complexity through systematic parameter adjustment
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes a function that relates (i) pairs of lateral and longitudinal acceleration values to (ii) skill values. A skill module: receives both (i) a lateral acceleration of the vehicle and (ii) a longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle; and, using the function, determines a skill value of a driver of the vehicle based on both (i) the lateral acceleration of the vehicle and (ii) the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. A skill level module determines a skill level of the driver of the vehicle based on the skill value. An actuator control module, based on the skill level of the driver, selectively actuates a dynamics actuator of the vehicle.